Wednesday, August 30, 2000
Conference USA overview
Southern Miss
The Golden Eagles are 21-2 since starting Conference USA play. Southern Miss brought in Nevada offensive coordinator Chris Klenakis to diversify the attack. The one-back set will feature Derrick Nix, who gained more than 1,000 yards in his first two seasons. As usual, the Golden Eagles will try to kick sand in bullies' faces. This year's first three games are Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma State.
East Carolina
The Pirates usually have been good for a lot of nondescript wins and a big shocker every few seasons. Last year's came with a nationally televised 27-23 win over Miami during a 5-0 start. East Carolina is obviously not a team to be taken lightly, and this year is no different. The Pirates return nine starters on offense, led by 235-pound QB David Garrard, and six on defense from a nine-win team.
Houston
Coach Kim Helton had a falling out after a 7-4 season. Now it's up to Dana Dimel to keep the upswing going. He brings a wide-open approach from Wyoming, which should be good for some points, thanks to QB Jason McKinley and a solid group of receivers headed by Jerrian Jams and Orlando Iglesias. But only four starters return defensively.
Louisville
Coach John L. Smith has built a respectable program in two years. It helped immensely to have QB Chris Redman, who led the Cardinals to an average of 444.0 yards a game last year. Smith vows to continue the helter-skelter attack, but he'll have to find a semi-worthy successor to Redman. Smith's background was on defense, but Louisville gave up 30.1 points a game last year.
Memphis
Coach Rip Scherer probably saved his job with a 5-6 season last year. When five wins saves your job, it tells you something about a school's expectations. Memphis could surprise in Conference USA. Nine starters return from the best pass defense in the league in 1999. If the Tigers can get their offense going, a winning season is a possibility. That might get Scherer a lifetime contract.
UAB
The Blazers made quite a first impression on Conference USA last year, tying for second with a 4-2 mark. The surprise element is gone, but eight starters return on both offense and defense. The team's inconsistency is a concern. And because of a scheduling quirk, it had to designate Kansas as a conference game to get the mandated seven league opponents.
Tulane
Nobody expected the Green Wave to repeat its 12-0 run in 1999, but 3-8? Tommy Bowden went to Clemson, Shaun King went to Tampa Bay, and Tulane went into the gutter. Now it's officially rebuilding time. Coach Chris Scelfo signed a great recruiting class, but the Green Wave are a few dozen Parade All-Americans from being a championship contender. Don't look for much to change this year.
Army
Tradition is big at the U.S. Military Academy, but some things must change. Just as the Army upgraded from muskets when better weaponry came along, it finally has junked the option offense. That ran its course after nine years under former coach Bob Sutton. He's out, replaced by Todd Berry, who revitalized Illinois State and brings the trendy one-back, multiple-receiver offense to West Point. The problem, as always, is finding players to run it. Junior Chad Jenkins beat out incumbent Joe Gerena at quarterback. But the line will have to learn how to pass block. In the transition, a tradition of losing won't be broken this year.
UC scouting report
Other college football previews